The Bull shark is a viviparous species that gives
live birth to its young. While the young are inside their mother, they
receive nourishment from a yolk-sac placenta. The estimated gestation period
is 10-11 months, with the litter size of this shark being 1 to
13 pups, which are 60 to 80 centimeters in length. Males of this
species usually reach sexual maturity between the ages of 14 and 15 years, while
females reach maturity at around age 18. Females typically give
birth in late spring and early summer, but these times can vary depending on
habitat. For instance, sharks that live in the close proximity of
Nicaragua can give birth all year round, but those that live in most other
regions of the world do not. Male Bull sharks participate in courtship with the
females, and this often results in injuries and bite marks to the females. During courtship the male shark
bites at the female and will grasp one of the female’s pectoral fins in his
mouth. If a female allows a male to mate with her, the male will insert his claspers
into the female, which are extensions of the pelvic
fins used to transfer sperm into the female’s cloacae. Bull
sharks do not take care of there young after birth like most other shark species
do, but they usually give birth in shallow coastal regions which protects them
from most predators. Bull sharks always give birth in salt water even
though it is possible for them to give birth in fresh water. An adult
bull shark usually grows to be
around 7.5 feet long, and around 280 pounds but can grow up to 10 feet and weigh
over 300 pounds. Female sharks usually grow to a larger size than
the males.